Assad plants landmines on refugee escape routes

As the crisis worsens in the heart of Syria, the civilian population are fleeing areas wracked by conflict in ever increasing numbers, Aljazeera News  reported today.


They hope to find temporary peace in Turkey and Lebanon. The UN estimate that some 30,000 have crossed the border in the past week. Within Syria, a total of 230,000 have fled their homes. Better to leave than stay, and risk death - the past week has seen a high civilian death toll, including a massacre of around 40 women and children. Amid the chaos, it is still not clear who is responsible.


It appears that Assad, however, is not willing to allow his people to flee the conflict. According to Turkey, which currently hosts some 14,000 Syrian refugees, the Syrian  government has planted landmines along the borders, in an attempt to kill those attempting to find refuge, and to dissuade others from following in their footsteps. 


This tactic is a barbarity, which goes above and beyond the politics of the war. Whether pro-Assad or pro-revolution, the intentional murder of civilian people caught up, unwillingly, in the conflict, must be condemned. 


Full story: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/2012314201510748320.html

Refugees passing through border villages (ABC NEWS)

Syrian refugees at the Reyhanli Refugee Camp in Antakya, Turkey Photo: BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images